February 2004 - arrl-odv - reflector.arrl.org

[ARRL-ODV:10178] Re: W0EJ Announcement
by James Weaver 28 Feb '04

28 Feb '04

Bruce, I pray for the best of results for you. My wife has had similar surgery in the lumbar-sacral region of her back and has done quite well. You will do as well, I am sure. 73, GL, Jim AMATEUR RADIO: The only fail-safe communications system in the world. ARRL: The reason Amateur Radio is! Jim Weaver, K8JE, Director, Great Lakes Division ARRL 5065 Bethany Rd., Mason, OH 45040-9660, Tel. 513-459-0142, E-mail k8je(a)arrl.org

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[ARRL-ODV:10177] W0EJ Announcement
by Wade Walstrom 28 Feb '04

28 Feb '04

I wanted to let you fine people know that I am scheduled for surgery to have a disk removed from my neck next Friday, 3/5. I had almost the identical surgery done successfully about 17 years ago for a different disk. This current offending disk started giving me trouble a couple of years after that and then let up and has not been problem until just this month. Pain in my right arm and an MRI confirmed the problem and a noticeable loss of strength in that same arm narrowed the possible treatments to just surgery and the sooner the better, according to the neurosurgeon doing the work. The current plan is to remain in the hospital overnight following the surgery and recuperate at home for at least one week before returning to work (pending the "all clear" from the neurosurgeon!). I have spoken to Bruce about this, but I plan to remain accessible to the Board and the membership during recuperation. Hopefully, I will be able to travel to the upcoming Midwest Division hamfests later this spring, but will ask Bruce for help if travel proves to be a problem, initially. I have not signed an agreement to turn over the directorship of the Midwest Division to Bruce while I am under general anesthetic, however! Having been through this once before has eased the apprehension, so far. 73, Wade W0EJ

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[ARRL-ODV:10176] ZDNet AnchorDesk, Feb 27, 2004
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 27 Feb '04

27 Feb '04

David Coursey, N5FDL, treats BPL in his online column today: http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/AnchorDesk/4520-7298_16-5123406.html?tag=adss Dave K1ZZ

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[ARRL-ODV:10175] Re: Region 3 Conference Report
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 27 Feb '04

27 Feb '04

Since you mention it... WG 2 spent quite a bit of time on BPL. Believe it or not, we're in a better position than amateurs in many countries; the "unlicensed devices may not cause harmful interference and have no protection" principle that we tend to take for granted isn't universal. Just as a reference point, here is the section of the WG 2 report dealing with BPL. Hilary Claytonsmith, G4JKS, of RSGB helped a lot with drafting the Recommendation, which was adopted by the Plenary. The content of the Recommendation may seem self-evident, but except for JARL and KARL (who have professional staff) and WIA (which is blessed with talented volunteers) the Region 3 societies don't have a lot of resources for advocacy on a technical issue and it's helpful to them to have it spelled out. Anyone who is interested and has extra time on their hands can look at the cited documents at the Region 3 Web site, http://www.jarl.or.jp/iaru-r3/12r3c/docs/docs.htm. I was glad to be able to spend more time at the conference on issues like this than on issues like American Samoa. I don't think Rod feels he was as lucky. 73, Dave K1ZZ Agenda Item 11.8 EMC and Standards HL1AQQ presented Document 30 on behalf of KARL. It offers study proposals with regard to Power Line Communications (PLC, also called PLT and BPL). VK3PC introduced Document 36 which summarizes the Australian experience. Page 5 of the JARL report, Document 7, also was noted. There was extensive discussion of experiences with PLC in various countries inside and outside of Region 3. Document 69 previously had been presented in Plenary; HL1AQQ noted that in addition to PLC, UWB and ISM are areas of growing EMC concern. Based on these documents and the discussion, WG 2 makes the following recommendation: Recommendation WG2-2 That Member Societies 1. educate their members on the interference potential from PLC 2. should start an HF users group covering all users of the HF spectrum, including but not limited to civil aviation, maritime, land transportation, military, and shortwave broadcasters and listeners 3. communicate with their Administrations on all issues relating to PLC 4. monitor any trials in their country and request of their Administrations participation in any trials 5. make their members and opinion leaders, including political officials, aware of the results of trial monitoring (video, audio, etc) 6. become involved in technical forums which lead to the setting of standards for both permissible levels and test methods and procedures 7. share information via their Web sites 8. support Region 3 in their collection of data and results of trials of PLC Document 35 from WIA was noted for information. -----Original Message----- From: Goddard, Art (Dir, SW) Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 4:38 AM To: arrl-odv Subject: [ARRL-ODV:10174] Re: Region 3 Conference Report For BPL to go away? dARTh ----- Original Message ----- From: "R. B. Vallio" <w6rgg(a)sbcglobal.net> To: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 10:55 PM Subject: [ARRL-ODV:10173] Re: Region 3 Conference Report Region 3 Conference ReportGreat job, great report, great outcome. What more could we ask for? Thanks, Dave. Bob W6RGG

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[ARRL-ODV:10174] Re: Region 3 Conference Report
by Art Goddard 27 Feb '04

27 Feb '04

For BPL to go away? dARTh ----- Original Message ----- From: "R. B. Vallio" <w6rgg(a)sbcglobal.net> To: "arrl-odv" <arrl-odv(a)reflector.arrl.org> Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 10:55 PM Subject: [ARRL-ODV:10173] Re: Region 3 Conference Report Region 3 Conference ReportGreat job, great report, great outcome. What more could we ask for? Thanks, Dave. Bob W6RGG

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[ARRL-ODV:10173] Re: Region 3 Conference Report
by R. B. Vallio 27 Feb '04

27 Feb '04

Region 3 Conference ReportGreat job, great report, great outcome. What more could we ask for? Thanks, Dave. Bob W6RGG

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[ARRL-ODV:10172] Region 3 Conference Report
by Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ 26 Feb '04

26 Feb '04

I wrote the attached report on last week's IARU Region 3 Conference for distribution to the IARU Administrative Council. For the ARRL Board I'd like to add a few observations with regard to the American Samoa matter. After consultation with President Haynie and Vice Presidents Harrison and Stafford, on February 10 I sent a letter (ja1kab1.doc)to the Region 3 Secretary, with copies to the Region 3 Directors, calling their attention to existing IARU and Region 3 policy with regard to communication with so-called "second societies." When I arrived in Taipei on the evening of February 14 I learned that at their meeting earlier that day the Directors had concluded that this policy required them to return without action the application for IARU membership that had been submitted on behalf of the American Samoa Amateur Radio Association. This was welcome news since it was what we had been seeking all along. In the early stages of the conference there was some unpleasantness initiated by Kan Mizoguchi, JA1BK/VP6BK, who was present as the Pitcairn Island delegate, and backed up by John Peters, K1ER, who lives in Hawaii but was present as the delegate of the Fiji Association of Radio Amateurs. However, thanks to sensitive handling by the conference chairman, Ralph Yang, BV2FB, the matter was shunted off to a "Special Committee" as described in the report. After the conference had disposed of the matter by adopting the report of the Special Committee, Kan asked me privately not to make "negative publicity" in the IARU Calendar. I told him I did not intend to. The less said, the better. 73, Dave Sumner, K1ZZ <<ja1kab1.doc>> <<2004 Region 3 Conference.doc>>

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[ARRL-ODV:10171] IN-News
by Kustosik, Lisa, KA1UFZ 25 Feb '04

25 Feb '04

IN-Newsletter Vol. 27, No.8 February 25, 2004 Development The W1AW campaign has reached $93,184 in cash and commitments from 918 donors, including a three year $30,000 pledge. The 2004 spillover for Spectrum Defense has reached $46,804 from 732 donors. The returns for this campaign are diminishing significantly. The stage is set for the first full file Spectrum Defense campaign of 2004 which will focus on ARRL's successful vigilance on issues like the status of BPL, planning for WRC-07 and the Spectrum Protection Act. The Foundation transition is moving along with phone calls, mail and email now coming directly to the Development Office. May Lau will complete the scholarship function before her departure on March 5 and will write "At the Foundation" for the May issue of QST. Plans for the donor reception at the Dayton Hamvention are nearly complete. The Guest of Honor will be Joe Rudi, NK7U. Invitations where mailed in March. Proposals to fund a pilot Teachers Institute in August 2004 have been mailed to 6 individual prospects. The estimated cost of $50,000 is needed to launch this activity to provide hands-on training in electronics and Amateur Radio. The impetus behind this Institute came from a survey of teacher's participation in the Education and Technology Program. Media Relations Jennifer got a call from The Ridgewood (NJ) News in response to the reelection news release sent in for Vice Director Birmingham. She set up an interview for Joyce with the reporter. Work on the 2003 Annual Report is underway. Jen is currently working on the letters for Dave and Jim, and securing one more photo for the cover. Jen and Sue jumped ahead a bit in the schedule and planned out the cover design. Jennifer talked with a writer with InternetNews.com who is interested in pursuing a story on ham radio and the BPL issue. He planned on contacting Jim Haynie for ARRL's perspective. Production/Editorial The April issue of QST-the first 176 page issue in a while and the annual Antenna Issue-has been released to the printer. This issue includes two special 8-page tear-out advertising sections. APRS: Moving Hams on Radio and the Internet by Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, has been released to the printer. This new title builds on the success of Stan's previous book, APRS Tracks, Maps and Mobiles. Rick Lindquist wrapped up work on the April Happenings column--expanded to six pages. He also prepared several news stories or briefs for the Web, including Peggy Sue Gets Licensed? (with assistance from Mike Gruber); FCC Chairman Assures Congressman on BPL Studies; AMSAT announces ECHO launch delay; SGC founder, president Pierre Goral, KI7UA, SK; NPR feature spotlights addition of @ symbol to Morse code; Eastern VHF/UHF Conference set for April; Hawaii State Legislature considering CC&R bill; ARRL VHF, RTTY Contest Entries Up in a Down Year, and ARRL technical awards nomination deadline looms. Rick also edited the February edition of "The Amateur Amateur" column (by Gary Hoffman, KB0H) and the Web version of the K7RA Solar Update. Rick compiled and edited The ARRL Letter, Vol 23, No 08, which distributed to 67,076 members, and, with voiceover assistance from Jennifer Hagy and soundbites from Dan Henderson, he voiced, edited and produced ARRL Audio News for Friday, Feb 20. Dave Hassler prepared several news and feature articles for the ARRLWeb. Joel Hallas is nearly finished with the May installment of the Product Review column. Stu Cohen worked with authors of technical material as the April issue of QST was being wrapped up, and is now preparing technical material for the May issue. Bob Schetgen is editing material for the May/June issue of QEX. Sales and Marketing The marketing group met with Dan Henderson to devise a Field Day theme for this year's t-shirts and pins. The selected theme is "An ABC Guide to Field Day." The guide is Dan's brainchild--a complete A to Z list that describes Field Day very well; from "A" for Amateur Radio, to "Z" for all those late-night Zzzzzz's heard at Field Day sites throughout the country. Field Day merchandise is among ARRL's most profitable non-publication product lines. There will be 3 products this year: Field Day t-shirts, Field Day pins and GOTA pins. Increasing interest in these products will also allow us to add size small and 3XL shirts to our offerings. ARRL Field Day merchandise will begin shipping in late-March. QST house ads were produced to introduce a couple of new publications: APRS Moving Hams on Radio and the Internet and ARRL's Vintage Radio. The books will be available sometime in March. Planning for ARRL's exhibit at Dayton Hamvention is underway. The President's Holiday e-store promotion was extended through February 22 due to the positive response it generated. The mailing house handling the large February membership campaign has scheduled the drop for February 25-26. The mailing solicits membership from nearly 82,000 lapsed- and never-members. Advertising Staff is currently working on ad insertions for the Repeater Directory as well as getting an early start on May QST. This issue will feature an 8-page Dayton theme tear-out. Membership Services Awards Branch WAS QSLs Cert. (Replacement) 1 WAS Ends. (150 QSLs ES/C) 3 WAS End. (50 QSLs F/C) 1 WAC QSLs Checked 20 WAC Certs. (204 QSLs F/C) 34 WAC End. (6 QSLs F/C) 1 5BWAC Certs. (60 QSLs F/C) 2 LTMA Inquiries 14 VUCC Initial App. 1 Grids 181 VUCC End. App. 2 Grids 167 Awards Mailed 31 Also filed the WAS applications from 2002 and 2003. Processing Status: Current or up to four weeks. For the coming week-WAS Specialty, U.S. WAC, and VUCC awards, and work with JPC to provide orientation as W1AW will be handling the Code Proficiency Program. DXCC Branch For the week of: February 22, 2004 Beginning Cards 79,901 Cards Received 6,638 Cards Processed 10,912 Ending Cards 75,627 Applications Pending 593 Processing Time 7.5 Weeks Year-to-date (2004) Cards Received 67,385 Cards Returned 99,260 DXCC is currently mailing applications received on December 31, 2003. DXCC is currently entering cards received on January 13, 2004. QSL Bureau QSL Service Status: There is a delay of 2 weeks. This week 133 pounds of cards were received from members. Approximately 253 pounds of cards are waiting to be processed. Cards mailed as of 02/22/04: 147,700. No cards were mailed this week. Field & Educational Services Astronaut Mike Fincke, just named to the next ISS Expedition crew, was hustled by the ARISS Team, and passed his ham test; call sign: KE5AIT. ESA astronaut Andrew Kuipers is now PI9ISS -- he'll be taxied to the ISS in April. The ARISS team tracked other astronauts' licenses to ensure they're renewed. Rosalie worked with hams making an educational award nomination, and she composed notes for a P&SC report. She worked with Chuck and Steve on an OO issue and an MOU issue. She worked with staff on a CNCS issue and a grant proposal. Linda Mullally updated 49 club records with 6 reactivations. She registered 3 Instructors and 2 Teachers. She checked club membership rosters for 4 clubs and handled 3 SSC renewals and 1 Club Vanity email requests. She entered the OO Reports into the database and sent out OO supply requests. Gail Iannone wrote 48 hamfest and 8 convention announcements for the April issue of QST. She sent 8 hamfest approval letters to the sponsoring committees confirming the Division Director's approval of the events as ARRL-sanctioned, processed 11 door prize orders, 3 label requests, and sent 6 handout packages for upcoming events. Mary Lau met with Mary Hobart and Debra Johnson twice during the week to facilitate transfer of Foundation functions. Mary also notified grant receipts of Foundation Board results, issued checks for signatures, and continued application photocopying. Thanks again go to Lisa Kustosik for her superb help with the copying chores! Emcomm Grants Dan Miller tells us that his Orlando seminar drew much better attendance than the Miami seminar. At the Hurricane Watch Net Conference in Miami, Dan met and consulted with many new people, most of them already participants in emcomm at one level or another. His PowerPoint presentation was modified for the SATERN audience for this weekend in Oklahoma. Amateur Radio Education & Technology Project Mark Spencer says that schools are receiving activity board kits, and sending thank-you notes. He completed a prototype of the next kit to offer schools--the TV Remote Exploration Board. Resources were committed to purchase boards and parts; anticipated release is the end of March. A new Girl Scout Patch for JOTA participation was posted to the Web. Mark began preparing for the 3 teachers conference exhibits that we do in partnership with NASA. Field Organization/Public Service Team The Field Organization/Public Service Team is gearing up to count the San Diego SM election ballots on February 24. Two nomination petitions arrived for incumbent SMs -- Don Michalski, W9IXG, of Wisconsin; and Bill Woodhead, N1KAT, of Maine. Petitioners have until March 5th to send nominations for new terms scheduled to begin on July 1. Steve Ewald reviewed a few memoranda of understanding from ARRL Sections, and the HQ Field Organization Team is ushering these documents through the approval process. Chuck Skolaut received information from OOs in response to a specific FCC monitoring request on 3945 kHz. ARRL monitoring stations provided follow up documentation on the wide band noise reported on 75 meters in the northeastern US. OOs provided information that should prove useful concerning a business in Maine that is causing interference to a local repeater. CCE Jerry Ellis worked with setting up emcomm volunteers who do field classes and exams with materials they will be needing in the future. Jean Wolfgang is now receiving and responding to email sent to cce(a)arrl.org. She sent a class announcement to Rick Lindquist for the Web and also to the Directors. The mailroom assisted us by sending 44 reimbursement checks to emcomm graduates and 81 checks to mentors. Level II will open Tuesday with 65 students, and Jean has selected and assigned mentors to assist the students. Regulatory Information John Hennessee continues to receive many questions on the restructuring proposal. He has also received many regulatory, non-technical questions on the forthcoming BPL NPRM. The FCC Rule Book second printing will soon be on the shelves. John assisted an amateur with a local government zoning restriction in Kingston Township, PA (K3RDA), and with a covenant problem in Iredell County, NC (N2TU). 73, Sincerely, Mark Wilson, K1RO Chief Operating Officer MW:lk Staff Absentee List Mark Wilson 2/27 Vacation Dennis Motschenbacher 2/19-2/27 Vacation Rosalie White 2/23-2/27 Vacation Leona Adams 2/17-2/18 Vacation Scott Gee 2/25-2/27 Vacation Wayne Mills 3/13 Charlotte Hamfest Fatima Lorusso 3/19 Vacation

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[ARRL-ODV:10170] Justification for ARRL's Restructuring Position
by Frank Fallon - N2FF 24 Feb '04

24 Feb '04

Some of you may have already seen this on some of the ham radio e-mail reflectors. Last Friday I sent out the February issues of "Beacon" to slightly over 4,000 Hudson Division ARRL members who get bulletins from the DM and the Director. I had a few (about five) very negative comments from my members and this led to my long essay. You may find it helpful in answering some of the comments you get. Feel free to shorten it and us in any way you wish. 73 Frank Fallon........ N2FF

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[ARRL-ODV:10169] Re: BPL NPRM Released
by W5JBP＠aol.com 23 Feb '04

23 Feb '04

I just finished reading (first pass) of the NPRM. There are some questions asked by the FCC that will need to be addressed by good engineering data. We did retain (some months ago) a "person to do some measurements." So far my understanding is he is having problems in getting NBS antennas. (Tucker Electronics sells/rents them). I hope we do not have another "Strong Systems" debacle going on. We really need to get an independent firm with some credentials to also certify the data we presently have. Dave, Chris, Joel and I discussed this two weeks ago during our Washington trip but with Dave on the other side of the world, I did not expect instant reaction. Now we have a specific deadline to meet with the release of the NPRM so I highly suggest we get off the stick and get moving! Dave, when you get a chance to come up for air, how about bringing us up to date with a time-line? Jim

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